moore



March 7, 1933. I c. H. MOORE 1,900,840

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Sept. 8, 1951 6 SheetsSheet l -March 7, 1933. c MQQRE I 1,900,840

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Sept; 8, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 7, 1933. c H MQORE 1,900,840

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Sept. 8, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 7, 1933. MQQRE 900,640

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Sept. 8, 193]. 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 07 A573 45 40 22 23 25 A96 492 W] March 7, 1933. Q MOORE LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Sept. 8, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 J zzaywv I'll March 7, 1933. I Q MOORE Q 1,900,840

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Sept. 8, .1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Had 25 z;7 2g f 5 65 x F 52 L .O. p l O @iE E Patented Mar. 7, 1933 cmmwrox HARRY MOORE, or LONDON, ENGLAND Loosii LEAF BINDER This invention relates to loose-leaf binders or like devices for filing p'apers, of the kind having a back structure comprising a main part with two oppositely disposed flanges to which are respectively connected the covers of the binder,t'he flanges carrying or supporting the opposite ends of binding posts adapted to engage the perforations in the leaves but capable of being withdrawn it to allow the leaves to be removed.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction of binder of this kind which can be more easily andrapidly manipulated than such 16* binders as hitherto constructed.

In such binders it ispossible for an individual leaf to beinserted or removed and for the bindingpost's tobe returned to their operative positions without disturbing the iii neighbouring pages a-nd'without fully open;

ing the binder. However, some difliculty has been experienced, particularly when the hind er is nearly full, in inserting a single leaf into position with its perforations in line i with those of the leaves already in the binder owing to the small spaceavailable between the leaves and the tendency of a single leaf to bend.

One object of thepresent invention is to provide an improved form of loose leaf binder of the aforesaid kind in which this disadvantage is overcome and in which single leaves can be removed and replaced .very rapidly and easily.

According to a feature of this invention the binder is provided with aback structure comprising two members so connected as to be relatively movable in a manner which will enable the back structure to be expanded, the two members normally being held in a fixed phsition relatively to one another',-but being capable of relative movement whenreleased whereby the back structure can be expanded. T Conveniently each of the membersis provided with a flange, adapted to support the binding posts and these posts when fixed in their normal positions hold the back mem bers against relative movement, preferably a; with the back structure in its contractedstate,

Application filed September 8, 1931, Serial No. 561,762, and in Great Britain July 2, 1931.

the release of the bindingposts prior to the insertion or the withdrawal of leaves also releasing the twomembers so that they are free to move relatively and expandthe back 55 to a predetermined extent.

Whena leaf is to be inserted'in or removed" from this improved form of hinder the binder is preferably supportedin a cradle which maintains it as'a whole substantially vertical but permits the covers to be opened sulficiently to insert or withdraw the leaf and a further object of the present invention is to provide a cradle which is'particula'rly suit able for the improved expanding back binder.

The improved form of cradle accordingto this invention comprisesatray, a device thereon for engaging and holding one memher of the ex anding backof the binder so as to restrain this member a'gainstmovement' along the tray, supports for the covers of, the binder when opened, and means" for guiding the binder as it is placed on the tray so as-to ensure-the engagement of the back inembe'r of the binder with the-device on the ray.

Conveniently, a projection suchasa pin on the tray is adapted to engage the one member of theback of the binder and holdthis member'in the desired manner. Members, such as bars, may extend along the sides of the tray to guide the edges'of the leaves and maintain them in alignment" after the binding posts have been withdrawn. 7

In one preferred arrangement the tray is provided with ayguide or guides for the bindin posts when the latter have been withdrawn from" the binder, these guides" facilitating the'retilrn and re ins'ertion oft'he bindingposts whilst avoiding damage to the perforations in the leaves of the binder.

In binders of the kind referred toabove, whether or not they are provided witlr-the improved form of expansible back'forming a feature of this invention, the osts are normally held in position in the angesby some form of locking device which can be released-to allow the poststo be withdrawn and leaves to be inserted in,-orremoved from the binder. Itis'frequentlydesirable to hold the binder, whilst in use, rigidly in position in position on the on a t*ay, desk or other support, Winch may, be the improved construction of cradle referred to above. When the binder is to be held in position in this manner the main back structure may, for example, be provided with a recess in which a fixed pin on the tray or support engages so that the binder is prevented from sliding along the tray.

According to another feature of this invention a locking device for holding the binding posts in their operative positions is provided with release mechanism adapted to be operated automatically as the binder is placed support.

Preferably the release mechanism is arranged so that it is operated momentarily as the binder is placed on the support but is inoperative during the removal of the binder from such support. In one preferred arrangement a locking member for the binding posts is provided with a pivoted catch arranged so that when it is engaged by a fixed pin as the binder is positioned on the support it is held against rotation and moves the locking member to the release position whilst when it is engaged by the pin during the removal of the binder from the support it rotates about its pivot without actuating the locking member. The binding posts can thus be secured in their normal locking positions before the binder is removed from the suport.

The following is a description by way of example, of the preferred constructions of binder, cradle and release mechanism according to this invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of the binder showing the back in its expanded position,

Figure 2 is a sectional end elevation of the binder shown in Figure 1 with the back in its contracted state,

Figure 3 is a detailed section on the line IIIIII of Figure 1 showing on an enlarged scale part of the back of the binder,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cradle with a binder for insertion therein, Figure 4 is a detailed view of part of the cradle showing a modified construction,

Figure 5 is a sectional side elevation of the cradle with a binder in position therein,

Figure 6 is a sectional plan of the cradle and binder on the line VIVI of the Fig ure 5,

Figure 7 is a sectional plan of the back structure of a binder having automatic release mechanism, and

Figures 8 and 9 are sectional side elevations of the automatic release mechanism in two of its operative positions.

As shown'in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6 the hinder is provided with a substantially rigid back structure formed of two relatively movtudinal side walls of the binder and are respectively provided with channel-shaped plates or covers 26 and 46 on their inside surfaces. Blocks 27 and 47 are mounted in the spaces between the side walls and their covers and are provided with lugs 28 and 48 which respectively cooperate with pivot pins 80 and 50 to form the hinges by which the actual covers 29 and 49 of the binder are attached to the side walls.

A sliding locking bar for the binding posts is disposed in the recess formed between the side wall and its cover plate 26, this bar being normally retained in its locking position by a spring plunger 61 (Figure 6) which engages a flange 62 at one end of the bar. The other end of the bar is provided with an actuating member 63 for moving the bar against its plunger 61 to release the binding posts. The cover plate 26 has the usual perforations 31 through which the ends of the binding post can pass so as to be engaged and held in position by the locking bar 60.

The other side wall 45 is recessed or counter-sunk as shown at 51 to receive a cross bar 80 carrying movable binding posts 81 which pass through holes 52 in the cover plate 46. The binding posts are provided with rounded ends 82 so that they can easily be pushed into the holes 31 in the cover plate 26. The rounded ends of the posts engage the straight ends of slots 64 in the locking bar so that this bar slides lengthwise against its plunger 61 as the binding posts are forced through the slots. When the binding posts are moved to their normal operative positions the straight ends 65 of the slots in the locking bar enter notches 83 near the ends of the binding posts thus locking the posts in position. A stop 66 is provided for the locking bar 60 so that it engages one of the blocks 27 and ensures that the straight ends 65 of the slots 64 in the bar are in the correct position to be engaged by the ends of the posts as they enter through the perforations 31.

Each binding post is provided with a longitudinal groove 84 (Figures 1 and 2) which terminates near its end and pins 53 are arranged in the space between the cover plate 46 and the side wall 45 so that they project into the grooves 84 and thus act to prevent the complete removal of the binding posts and the cross-bar from the back structure without impeding the free movement of the postsacross the back of the binder.

A spring 85 is arranged on the inside of the crossbar so that as thebinding posts are moved acrossth'e binder to their operative position and the cross-bar enters its recess on the outside of the wall 55, this spring is compressed. Thus as soon as the locking bar 60 ismoved to its release position the spring pushes thecrossbar 80 outwards and thus causes the posts to be automaticaily partly withdrawn 'irom the leaves ends of the leaves 34 tov rest on, when in position in the binder, plates 33 and 44 are respectively riveted to the plates 20 and 40 these plates having the same thickness as the and strips 23.

In use the binder is conveniently supported in a cradle having a tray or the like on which the backrests, and supports which maintain the covers 29 and 49 in a substan tially vertical position as shown in Figure l but permit them to open. sufiiciently to allow leaves to be inserted or withdrawn. A preferred formotcradle will be described in detail hereinafter. V

When the binder is closed, as shown in Figure 2, with the binding posts locked in their'operative position, the leaves 34 are r tained in position in the binder by the posts and the back of the binder forms a rigid struc ture. Operation of the actuating member 63 permits the posts tobe withdrawn, as shown in Figures 1 and 0, to tree the leaves and also the back to expand so that the leaves 34, indicated in chain lines in Figure 1, can be separated at any desired point and there is ample space available for additional. leaves to be dropped into position with their perforations correctly aligned even when the binder is almost full. 7

As soon as the desired alterations have been made in the leaves in the binder the binding posts are again. pushed through the holes in the leaves into their operative position in which they are retained by the looking bar. In order to ensure that the binding posts canmovc freely through the perforations in the leaves, these perforations may be apprecia'b y larger than the diameter of the posts.

Guide members, for maintaining the leaves in alignment wlunthe binding posts are withdrawn and for ensuring that the perfo rations in leaves which are inserted into the binder arev in. line with those of leaves already in the binder, may be carried: on the ends of the plates 20 and 40 so that they engage the rear ends of the leaves as they are inserted in the binder. \Vhen, h wever, the binder is used in conjunction with the preferred form of cradle, as will be more fully described below, such guide members are not required as guide bars are provided on the cradle. t

It will be appreciated that this improved construction of binder has the advantage that when the back is expanded there is always sufiicient space between leaves for additional leaves to be dropped into position with their perforations correctly aligned even when the binder is almost full. Furthermore, it is exceedingly simple to manipulate since it can be opened to free the leaves and to permit the back to expand merely by operating the actuating member of the locking bar and, after leaves have been inserted or removed, can be closed in a single operation as the 7 act of pushing the binding posts through the perforations in the leaves into their operative position simultaneously closes the expanding back, 7

Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6 the preferred form of cradle for supporting the binder has a base, on which the back plate 22 of the binder rests when in position, consisting of a tray 100 of wood or metal of a width approximately equal to the height of the binder. This tray is supported at a suitable height from the ground in a tubular framework consisting of four main vertical tubes 101, 102, 103 and 104 which are provided at their lower ends with ball castors 105. The pairs of tubes 101, 102 and 103, 104 are connected by crossbars 106 and 107 which support the ends of the tray 100. The crossbars 106 and 107 are connected by tubes 108 (Figure 5) which serve to support the sides of the tray 100. One or more sets of tubes 109 are provided to strengthen the framework so that the cradle forms a rigid selfcontained transportable unit, theseadditional sets oi tubes being arranged so that they can be used, when desired, as shelves to support additional binders or other papers.

vThe upper ends of the four main tubes project above the level of the tray 100 and the two pairs of tubes 101, 102 and 103, 104 are joined so as to form crossba-rs 110 and 111 at each end of and at a suitable distance above the tray 100, the cross-bars 110 and 111 acting, as shown in Figure 5 to support the covers 29 and 49 of the binder when opened.

In order to maintain the leaves 34 in the binder in alignment when the binding posts are withdrawn and also to ensure that when a leaf is inserted its perforations are in line with theperforations in the leaves already in the binder, guide bars 112 and 113 extend along the sides of the tray, these bars consisting of tubes bolted to the corner tubes of the frame-work at a short distance above the level of the tray so that they engage the sides of the leaves near their perforated ends.

The tray 100 is provided with a vertical pin 120 which is adapted to engage in a recess 35 in the back plate 20 of the expanding back of the binder so as to prevent this plate moving along the tray whilst permitting the sliding plate 10 to move when the binding posts are withdrawn and the back expands. Guide plates 130 and 131 are provided between the cover support 110 and the tray 100 which act to guide the corner of the plate 20 and the side wall of the back of the binder into the cradle and are respectively provided with vertical portions 132 and 133 which ensure that, as the binder slides down these guide plates and their vertical portions on to the tray, the recess is in line with the projecting pin 120 on the tray and the pin thus enters this recess.

The provision of the pin 120 for restraining the member 20 of the binder against movement along the tray in conjunction with the guides 130 and 131 for ensuring that the pin automatically comes into operation as the binder is placed on the tray, has the advantage that the binder can be placed in the correct position on the tray in a single movement and, when in this position, is capable of expanding in the desired manner as soon as the binding posts 81 are released.

lVhen automatic release mechanism is employed with an expansible back binder suitable for use in the cradle the pin 120 on the cradle is, as shown in Figure 9, replaced by a pin 121 ha ing a notch 123 so that the binding posts 81 are released in a manner to be hereafter more fully described as the hinder slides down the straight portions 132 and 133 of the guides 130 and 131.

in order to facilitate the withdrawal and re-insertion of the binding posts 81 without damaging the perforations in the leaves 34 in the binder, guides are provided on the tray for the cross bar 80 which carries the binding posts. These guides consist of two tapered ramps 134 and 135 on which, as shown in Figure 5, the ends of the cross-bar 80 slide as the binding posts are withdrawn from the binder. The inner ends of the ramps 134 and are disposed so that when the locking bar 60 of the binder has been released and the back expanded the side wall on the sliding plate 40 moves against the ends of the ramps, the lower side of the crossbar 80 thus being allowed to slide on to the ramps as it leaves its counter-sunk recess 51 in the side wall 45.

The ramps gradually decrease in height so that, as the bar 80 is withdrawn and the bind ing posts 81 moved across the binder to disengage the leaves therein, the ends of these posts are raised slightly a result of the downward movement of the cross bar 80. When the posts are re-inserted the slight downward movement of the rounded ends 82 corresponding to the upward movement of the cross bar 80 as it travels along the ramps, guides the posts through the perforations in the leaves in such a manner that, even if the ends of the posts engage the edges of the perforations, they do not damage them particularly when, as is usual, the perforations are somewhat arger than the diameter of the posts.

The ramps 131 and 135 are respectively provided with cap flanges 136 and 137 so that each ramp with its cap constitutes in effect an inclined slot for the end of the cross-bar 80 and thus ensures that this bar cannot be raised to damage the perforations in the leaves when it is partially withdrawn.

Mechanism for automatically releasing the binding posts of a binder as it is placed in position on a support is shown in Figures 7, 3 and 9, this mechanism being applicable to a binder n ving a back structure comprising a main p. rt with two oppositely disposed flanges irrespective of whether these flanges are connected by iixed main part or by an egg UlSllJlG main part of the type described itUOVQ.

As shown in igure 7 the binder is provided with side walls 25 and 15 formed on ates 20 and a0, as in the binder shown in 1* re 1, the two bacl; plates 20 and 40 being arranged to form part of the expanding back of a hinder or being riveted together (or the side walls being formed as flanges 011 a single member which is thus of channel or U-shaped section) in the case of a binder having a noneXpansible back structure. The locking bar in the recess between the cover plate 26 and the wall 25 and also the binding posts 81 and their cross bar 80 are mounted and arranged to cooperate in a manner fully described above in connection with the expanding bacrr binder shown in Figure 1.

In use the binder is placed with its back resting on a tray or other support with the flanges 25 and uppermost so that the covers can be moved outwardly to open the binder, preferably against some suitable supporting frame or cradle, a fixed vertical pin on the tray entering a hole or recess in the back plate of the binder and acting to prevent the binder moving along the tray.

In order that, in accordance with a feature of this invention, the locking bar 60 may be released as the binder is placed in position on the tray the hole 35 in the back plate 20 of the binder is so positioned that the end of a pin 121 on the tray or support for the binder can project through the back plate 20 into the space between the flange 25 and the cover 26 in which the locking bar 60 is mounted.

Pivoted on the locking bar 60 is a catch 67 pin 121.

the side or which is normally held by alight spring 69 against a fixed stop 70, also on the bar, the arrangement being such that the end of the catch 67 is in the path of the pin 121 as it en.- ters through the hole 35 in the back plate and the stop 70 prevents rotation of the catch as it is engaged by the entering movementof the T 1e surface of the catch is inclined to the axis of the pin as indicated at 68, so that the rounded end of the pin 121, since it cannot rotate the catch, ca uses the catch to move at right-angles to the axis of the pin as'the end of the pin moves up the inclined surface 68. The catch 67. carries with it the locking bar 60, thus sliding this bar against the action of the plunger 61 to the released position in which, as shown in Figure 8, the straight ends 65 of the slots 64 move out of the notches 83 in the binding posts 81, these posts being automatically withdrawn as soon as they are free, by the action of the spring 85 in the binding post'cross bar 80.

As it is desirable that the binding posts should be capable of beinglocked in their closed position before the binder is removed from the support, the release mechanism is arran ed so that the locking bar only remains in its release position for sutficient time to allow the freed binding posts to be withdrawn by the sprin 85 on the crossbar, and then returns to its normal locking position.

For this purpose the pin 121 and the catch 67 are so dimensioned that, bycthe lengthwise movement of the catch 6? and the bar 60 to the release position, the end of the pin reaches the end of the catch.- Further inward movement of the pin 121then causes the end of the catch 67 to move down the side of the pin, in the manner shown in Figure 8. until. when the pin 121 is fully home and the back plate 20 of the binder rests onsthe supporting boss 122 of the pin,

the end of the catch enters a recess 123 in f the pin. This recess releases the catch and is sufliciently deep to permit the locking bar to be returned by its spring plunger 61 nearly to the normal locking position in which it is shown in Figure 7. The binding posts 81 can thus be returned to their operative position whilst the binder is on the support and are retained in this position by the locking bar 60.

lVhen the binder is removed from the support the withdrawal of the pin causes the upper side of the not-ch 123 to engage'the catch 67 but, since the pin new acts on the catch in opposite direction and there is only the light spring 69 which normally holds the catch against the stop 70, the catch 67 rotates about its pivot as shown in Figure 9 to permit the pin 121 to be withdrawn without hun ing the locking bar 60. The binding posts thus main lock d in their operative position whiist the binder is removed from the support. If desired a manually operable actuating member 63 may be provided for .releasi-ngthe locking bar 60 when the binder is not in position onthe support. a J 7 As the cross bar 80 is released before the back of the binder engages the-tray 100 of570 the cradle the movement 'ofthis bar may be prevented by the'caps 136 and 137 on the ramps 134 and .135. -I-Ience, if necessary, the caps can be omitted altogether or alternatively'set back,'as indicated at 138 and 139 m gs Figure 45*, so that they do not interfere with the release of the crossbar 80.

lihilst the features of the invention have been described with reference to a particular construction of binder it is to be understoodafifl that they arenotlimitedthereto and that many modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the ap-' pended claims. I I lVhatI claim as my invention and desiree to secure by Letters Patent is a a 1. In a loose leaf binder, a backstructure comprising the combination of a main back plate, guides thereon, a' sliding back plate mounted in the-guides, a flange on each ofsaida? plates, withdrawable binding posts supported on the flange of one of said plates so that the ends of said posts can engage theflange of the other plate only when the back plates are in their contracted state, and locking means for retaining the ends of the binding posts in-engagement with said latter flange so that the posts are normally locked against withdrawal and serve to hold the back in its contracted state and,when the locking means 3 3, is released, the posts can be *withdrawnand the'back plates can slide relatively to one-another to expand the back structure. 2. In a loose leaf binder, a back structure comprising the combination of a main back3-l plate, guides thereon, a sliding back plate mounted in the guides, stop means to prevent the sliding plate being withdrawn from the guides, a flange on each ofsaid plates, withdrawable binding posts supported on the 51 flange of one of said plates, so that the ends of said posts can engage the flange of the other plate only when the back plates are in their contracted state, and locking means for retaining the ends of the binding posts in en- .1

gagement with said latter flange so that the posts are normally locked against withdrawal and serve to hold the back in its contracted state and,'whe11 the locking means is released, the posts can be withdrawnand the back plates can slide relatively to one another to expand the back structure. 7

3. In a loose leaf binder, a back structure comprising the combination of a main back plate, guides thereon, a sliding back plate mounted in the guides, a flange on each'of said plates, withdrawable binding posts supported on the flange of one of said plates so that the en dsof said posts can engage theflangeof the other plate only when the back plates are in their contracted state, locking means for retaining the ends of the binding posts in en gagement with said latter flange, and spring means for automatically withdrawing the binding posts when the locking means is released, the arrangement being such that the binding posts are normally locked against withdrawal and serve to hold the back in its contracted state and when the locking means is released the posts are withdrawn and the back plates can slide relatively to one another to expand the back structure.

4. In a loose leaf binder, a back structure comprising in combination a main L-shaped back plate, guides on one limb thereof, a sliding L-shaped back plate having one limb mounted in the guides so that the other limbs of the two plates form the side walls of the back structure and the distance between these side walls can be varied by moving the sliding plate in the guides, withdrawable binding posts supported on the sidewall of the sliding back plates so that their ends can engage the side wall on the main back plate and locking means in the side wall of the main back plate for retaining the ends of the binding posts in engagement therewith so that the posts are normally locked against withdrawal and serve to hold the back in its contracted state and, when the locking means is released, the posts can be withdrawn and the back plates can slide relatively to one another to expand the back structure.

5. A loose leaf binder comprising in combination a main back plate, guides thereon, a sliding back plate mounted in the guides, a rigid flange on each plate, the flanges of the two plates being arranged to'form the longitudinal side walls of the back of the binder so that the distance between the flanges can be varied to expand the back of the binder by moving the sliding plate in the guides, covers for the binder hinged to the flanges, withdrawable binding posts adapted to pass through the perforations in the leaves and supported on the flange of one of said plates so that the ends of said posts can engage the flange of the other plate only when the back of the binder is in its contracted state, and locking means for retaining the ends of the binding posts in engagement with said latter flange, so that the posts are normally locked against withdrawal and serve to hold the back in its contracted state whilst when the locking means is released the posts can be Withdrawn to free the leaves and the back plates can slide relatively to one another to expand the back structure to facilitate the insertion and withdrawal of leaves.

6. For use with a loose leaf binder having a back structure comprising two members connected so as to be relatively movable in a manner which will enable the back structure to be expanded, one of the members being provided with a recess, a cradle comp 'ising,

in combination, a tray, a pin on the tray adapted to engage in the recess in the one back member so as to restrain this member against movement along the tray, and means for guiding the binder as it is placed on the tray whereby the pin on the tray engages the recess in the back member of the binder.

7. For use with a loose leaf binder having a back structure comprising two members connected so as to be relatively movable in a manner which will enable the back structure to be expanded, leaves in the binder having perforations and movable binding posts having their ends supported by the members and adapted to pass through the perforatfons in the leaves in the binder, a cradle comprising, in combination, a tray, a device on the tray for engaging and holding one member of the back structure of the binder so as to restrain this member against movement along the tray, means for guiding the binder as it is placed on the tray whereby the back member of the binder engages the device on the tray and members extending along the sides of the tray to guide the edges of the leaves and maintain them in alignment when the binding posts of the binder have been withdrawn.

8. For use with a loose leaf binder having a back structure comprising two members connected so as to be relatively movable in a manner which will enable the back structure to be expanded, leaves in the binder h aving perforations, movable binding posts having their ends supported by the members and adapted to pass through the perforations in the leaves and means for retaining the binding posts in position, a cradle comprising the combination of a. tray, a device on the tray for engaging and holding one member of the back structure of the binder so as to restrain this member against movement along the tray, means for guiding the binder as it is placed on the tray and guides on the tray for the binding posts when they have been withdrawn from the binder, the said guides acting to facilitate the return and reinsertion of the binding posts without damaging the perforations in the leaves in the binder.

9. For use with a loose leaf binder having a back structure comprising two members connected so as to be relatively movable in a manner which will enable the hack structure to be expanded, leaves in the binder having perforations, movable binding posts having their ends supported by the members and adapted to pass through the perforations in the leaves and a locking device for retaining the binding posts in position, a cradle comprising the combination of a tray, a device on the tray for engaging and holding one member of the back structure of the binder so as to restrain this member against movement along the tray, means for guiding the bin dcr as it is placed on the tray and means for releasin automatically the binding post lock- I to guide the edges of the ing device as the binder is inserted in the cradle.

10. In a loose leaf binder the combinatlon of a back structure, withdrawable binding posts supported on the back structure, a device on the back structure for locking the binding postsagainst Withdrawal, a support for the binder and means operative as the binder is placed in position on the the locking device. I 11. The combination with a loose leaf binder comprising a main back plate having support to release "a recess therein, guides thereon, a sliding back ,plate mounted in theguldes, a rlgid flange on each plate, the flanges ofthe tWo plates being arranged to form the longitudinal side walls of the back of the binder sothat the distance between the flanges can be 'varied to expand theback of the binder by moving the sliding plate in the guides, stop means to prevent the sliding plate being withdrawn from the guides, covers for the binder. hinged to the flanges, withdrawable binding posts adapted .to'pass through the perforations in the leaves and supported on the flange ofone of said L plates sothat the ends of said posts can ongage the. fiange on the other plate only when the binder is in its contracted state and lock ingv means for retaining the ends of the binding posts in engagement with said latter flange so that theposts are normally locked against withdrawal and serve to. hold the back in its contracted state, of a cradle for the binder comprising a tray, pin on the tray adapted to engage in the recess 1n the main back plate of the binder so as to restrain this plate against movement along the tray Without preventing movement of the slidingplate to expand the back of thebindor, supports'for the covers of the binder-When opened, means for guiding the binder as it is placed on the tray so that the pin on the tray engages in the recess in the main back plate, members extending along the sides of the tray leaves and maintain them in alignment when the binding 1 posts are Withdrawn, inclined ramps on the tray to guide the binding posts as they are withdrawn and flanges on the ramps arranged sothat they cooperate ith'the ramps ,mechanism is operated momentarily as the binder is placed in position on the support but is not operated as thebinder is removed from the support. 7 1

13. In a loose leaf binder, the combination of a back structure, flanges on the back'structure, withdrawable binding posts supported on the flanges, a device on the back structure for locking the binding posts against withdrawal, a support for the binder, holding means on the support for engaging the back structure so as to restrain the binder from movement along the support, and release mechanism for the locking device, the arrangement of the release mechanism and holding means being such that the holding means causes the momentary operation of the releasemechanism as the binder is placed in position on-the supportbut does not operate the release mechanism when the binder is removed from the support.

14; Ina loose leaf binder the combination ofa back structure having a recess therein, aflan'ges'on the back structure, withdrawable binding posts supported on the flanges, a

member on the back structure for. locking the binding posts against Withdrawal, a support for locking the binder, a pin on the support for engaging the recess in the back structure so as to restrain the binder from? movement along the support, and release mechanlsm for the locking member comprising a pivoted catch arranged so that it is engaged by the pin on the support when the pin enters the recess in the back of the binder as the binder is positioned on the support, the said catch being held against rotation so that it moves thelocking mechanism to the release position, and means whereby When the moval ofthe binder from the support the said catch rotates Without actuating the locking member.

15. In a loose leaf binder the combination of a back structure having a recess therein, WithdraWable binding posts supported on the back structure, a device on the back structure for locking the binding posts against Withdrawal, a support for the binder, a pin on the support for engaging the recess in the 5* back structure so as to restrain the binder from movement along the support, release mechanism for the locking device operated by the pin as the binder is placed in position on the support, and spring means for with- L- drawing the binding posts When the locking device is released.

16, In a loose leaf binder the combinatio of two members constituting the back structure of the binder and connected so as to be relatively withdrawable in a manner which will enable the back structure of the binder to be expanded, Withdrawable binding posts supported on said members, a device on the back structure for locking the binding posts agamst Withdrawal, the binding posts serv- .ing, when locked to hold the two members against movement and the back structure in its contracted state, a support for the blnder, a device on :the support for engaging one catch is engaged by the pin during the re-i' member of the back structure so as to restrain said member from movement along the support and release mechanism for the binding post locking device operated by the device as the binder placed in position on the support.

17. In a loose leaf binder, the combination of a back structure having a recess therein, withdrawable binding posts supported by the back structure, a member on the back structure for locking the binding posts against withdraval, a support for the binder, a pin on the support for engaging the recess in the back structure so as to restrain the binder from movement along the support and release mechanism for the locking member comprising a catch, a pivot tor the catch on the locking member arranged so that the catch is engaged by the pin as the said pin enters the recess in the back structure, a stop for the catch mounted on the locking member so that it prevents rotation. of the catch when it is engaged by the pin as the said pin enters the recess, and a spring which normally holds the catch against the stop but which permits the catch to rotate when it is engaged by the pin as the pin is wi hdrawn "from the recess during the removal of the binder from the support. I

18. A loose leaf binder comprising in combination a main back plate, guiees thereon, asliding back plate mounted in the guides, a rigid flange on each plate, the flanges of the two plates being arranged to form the longitudinal side walls of the back of the binder so that the distance between the flanges can be varied to expand the back of the binder by moving the sliding plate in the guides, stop means to prevent the sliding plate being withdrawn from the guides, covers for the binder hinged to the flanges, withdrawable binding posts adapted to pass through the perforations in the leaves and supported on the flange of one of said plates so that the ends of said posts can engage the flange on the other plate only when the back of the binder is in its contracted state, looking means for retainin the binding posts in engagement with said latter flange and spring means for automatically withdrawing the binding post-s when the locking means is released. the arrangement being such that the binding posts are normally locked against withdrawal and serve to hold the back in its contracted state and, when the lockin g means is released, the posts are withdrawn and the back plates can slide relatively to one another to expand the back structure.

19. A loos-e leaf binder comprising in combination a main back plate having a recess therein, guides thereon, a sliding back plate mounted on the guides, a rigid flange on each plate, the flanges of the two'plates being arranged to form the longitudinal side walls of the back of the binder so that the distance covers for the binder hinged to the fanges,"

withdrawa-ble binding posts adapted to pass through the perforations in the leaves and supported on the flange of one of said plates so that the ends of said posts can engage the flange of the other plate only when the back plates are in their contracted state, a locking member for retaining the ends of the binding posts in engagement with said latter flange so that the posts are normally locked against withdrawal and serve to hold the back in its contracted state, release mechanism for the binding post locking member, a support for the binder, a pin on the support adapted to engage in the recess in the main back plate so as to restrain this plate against movement along the support and to cause the momentary operation of the release mechanism as the said pin is inserted in the recess and spring means for automatically withdrawing the binding posts during the momentary operation of the release mechanism as the binder is placed in position on the support.

20. The combination with a loose leaf binder comprising a main back plate having a recess therein, guides thereon, a sliding back plate mounted on the guides, a rigid flange on each plate, the flanges of the two plates being arranged to form the longitudinal side walls of the back of the binder so that the distance between the flanges can be varied to expand the back of the binder by moving the sliding plate in the guides, stops to prevent the sliding plate being withdrawn from the guides, withdrawable binding posts adapted to pass through the perforations in the leaves and supported on the flange of one of said plates so that the ends of said posts can engage the flange of the other plate only when the back plates are in their contracted state, a locking member for retaining the ends of the binding posts in engagement with said latter flange so that the posts are normally locked against withdrawal and serve to hold the back in its contracted state, release mechanism for the binding post locking member, and spring means for automatically withdrawing the binding posts when the release mechanism is actuated, of a cradle for the binder comprising a tray, a pin on the tray adapted to engage in the recess in the back plate of the binder so as to restrain this plate against movement along the tray without preventing movement of the sliding plate to expand the back of the binder, the pin being so shaped that it causes the momentary operation of the release mechanism as it enters the recess, means for guiding the binder as it is placed on the tray so that the pin enters the recess in the main back plate and guides on the tray for the binding posts when they are withdrawn.

21. The combination of a loose leaf binder comprising a main back plate having a recess therein, guides thereon, a sliding back plate mounted on the guides, a rigid flange on each plate, the flanges of the two plates being ar ranged to form the longitudinal side walls of the back of the binder so that the distance between the flanges can be varied to expand the back of the binder by moving the sliding plate in the guides, stops to prevent the sliding plate being withdrawn from the guides, withdrawable binding posts adapted to pass through the perforations in the leaves and supported on the flanges of one of said plates so that the ends of said posts can engage the flange of the other plate only when the back plates are in their contracted state, a locking member for retaining the ends of the binding posts in engagement with said latter flange so that the posts are normally locked against withdrawal and serve to hold the back in its contracted state, a cradle for thebinder comprising a tray, a pin on the tray adapted to engage in the recess in the main back plate of the binder so as to restrain this plate against movement along the tray without preventing movement of the sliding plate to expand the back of the binder, means for guiding the binder as it is placed on the tray so that the pin enters the recess in the main back plate, and guides on the tray for the binding posts when they are withdrawn, and release mechanism for the binding post lockthe said guides acting to facilitate the return and re-insertion of the binding posts without damaging the perforations in the leaves in the binder.

23. In a loose leaf binder the combination of side flanges, withdrawable binding posts supported in the flanges, a locking device for the binding posts, a support for the binder and means operative as the binder is placed in position on the support to release the look ing device.

24. In a loose leaf hinder, the combination of side flanges with pivoted cover boards withdrawable binding posts supported on the flanges, a locking device for the binding posts, a support for the binder, holding means on the support for engaging the binder so as to restrain onefiange from movement along the support, and release mechanism for the locking device, the arrangement of the release mechanism and holding means being such that the holding means causes the momentary operation of the release mechanism as the binder is placed in position on the sup port but does not operate the release mechanism when the binder is removed from the support.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHADWICK HARRY MOORE.

ing member comprising a catch, a'pivot for the catch on the locking member arranged so that the catch is engaged by the pin on the tray as the said pin enters the recess in the main back plate, a stop for the catch mounted on the locking member so that it prevents rotation of the catch when it is engaged by the pin as the said pin enters the recess, and a spring which normally holds the catch against the stop but which permits the catch to rotate when it is engaged by the pin as the pin is withdrawn from the recess during the removal of the binder from the support.

22. For use with a loose leaf binder comprising two side flanges having cover members and connected so as to be relatively movable in a manner which will enable the binder to be expanded, leaves in the binder having perforations, movable binding posts having their ends supported by the flanges and adapted to pass through the perforations in the leaves and means for retaining the binding posts in position, a cradle comprising the combination of a tray, a device on-the tray for engaging and holding one flange of the binder so as to restrain this flange against movement along the tray, means for guiding the binder as it is placed on the tray and guides on the tray for the binding posts when they have been withdrawn from the binder, 

